Valuations and Busemann-Petty type problems (Q936620)

Let \(\Phi:{\mathcal K}^n\to{\mathcal K}^n\), where \({\mathcal K}^n\) is the space of convex bodies in \({\mathbb R}^n\), be a continuous, translation invariant and \(\text{SO}(n)\) equivariant valuation (with respect to Minkowski addition), which is homogeneous of degree \(n-1\). The prototype is the projection body operator \(\Pi\) (but there are many others). The well-known Shephard problem can be formulated as asking whether, for centrally symmetric bodies \(K,L\), the inclusion \(\Pi K\subseteq \Pi L\) implies \(V(K)\leq V(L)\) (for the volume \(V\)). In the present paper, the available information on this problem, namely a sufficient additional condition and construction procedures for counterexamples in general, is extended to \(\Phi\). A typical result: If \(K\in{\mathcal K}^n\) and if a translate of \(L\) is contained in \(\Phi {\mathcal K}^n\), then \(\Phi K\subseteq \Phi L\) implies \(V(K)\leq V(L)\), with equality if and only if \(K\) and \(L\) are translates. Depending on \(\Phi\), criteria are given for the existence of convex bodies \(K,L\) such that \(\Phi K\subseteq \Phi L\), but \(V(K)> V(L)\). Analogous results are obtained for (the vaguely dual) radial Blaschke-Minkowski homomorphisms, mapping the space of star bodies into itself. Here the prototype is the intersection body operator, which played an important role in the initial solution of the Busemann-Petty problem.